The holiday season should be a festive, fun time of year filled with friends, family and enjoying a cozy fire in the colder weather. However, the celebration can quickly become tragic if you’re not careful.
If you’ve ever watched “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” a movie starring Chevy Chase, then you know what we mean…
Approximately 250 injuries a day occur during the holiday season according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Below are some tips to keep you as safe as possible this season:
Decorating Safety Tips
- When hanging lights or other decorations, choose a steady and safe ladder rather than standing on furniture another unstable surface.
- Be careful which types of ornaments you purchase—glass ornaments and fragile decorations are dangerous if shattered.
- Keep plants like mistletoe, holly, poinsettias and Christmas cactus out of reach of children and pets. They’re poisonous if ingested.
- Put all holiday boxes, cords and wires away to avoid tripping and falling.
- If decorating with candles, never leave them unattended and avoid putting them in places where they can be easily bumped.
Food and Holiday Hosting Tips
- When preparing for a holiday meal, be aware of the food allergies of all people in attendance.
- After everyone has eaten, place food in proper storage containers and refrigeration to avoid food poisoning.
- If you’re hosting a party involving alcohol, ensure that no one drives home after drinking. Don’t let alcohol ruin a wonderful holiday season.
Shopping and Driving Tips
- Pay close attention to your surroundings and all pedestrians. People are already distracted already, but during the holidays it becomes worse.
- Burglaries are more common during the holiday season so be careful of your surroundings while in shopping mall parking lots and other areas.
- Keep your mind focused on driving rather than let yourself become distracted by the errands you need to run during the hustle and bustle of the season.
It’s important to use caution every day, but especially during the holidays. From all of us here at SBD Legal Works, have a safe and sensational holiday season!